Geneva: A briefing on the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled to be held in Baku, took place on 15 January for representatives of international organisations and members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Geneva. Galib Israfilov, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations in Geneva, opened the session by emphasizing the Forum's importance and inviting international partners to participate in WUF13.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, keynote speeches were delivered by Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and National Coordinator of WUF13, and Anacl¡udia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat. Guliyev discussed the preparations for the Forum, its organizational strategy, and the opportunities it offers. He highlighted that for the first time in WUF's history, a Leaders' Summit will be held in Baku, stressing the need for high-level political leadership in addressing global housing challenges.
Rossbach outlined the Forum's main thematic priorities, emphasizing the critical role of housing in social inclusion, climate adaptation, and sustainable urban development. She noted that WUF13, themed 'Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities', will serve as a global platform and a midpoint checkpoint for the New Urban Agenda and SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities. The event aims to evaluate current commitments, identify existing gaps, and set global priorities for the next decade, addressing the housing crisis affecting nearly 3 billion people worldwide.
The event was also attended by Fuad Isgandarov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein. The briefing served as an essential platform to outline the objectives of WUF13, garner diplomatic support, and reinforce Azerbaijan's commitment to advancing the global urban agenda. Nearly 100 diplomatic missions based in Geneva were represented at the event.